EU environment ministers to meet in Brussels - Finland stresses the potential of bioeconomy and circular economy as part of the Clean Industrial Deal 

The EU environment ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday 27 March, with the discussion focusing on the Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal Communication. The ministers will also discuss the state of global environmental policies. Finland will be represented by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala. 

The Clean Industrial Deal, which was published by the European Commission at the end of February, focuses on three simultaneous challenges: climate change and its effects, competitiveness challenges and improvements to Europe’s crisis resilience. The circular economy will be a priority, with the Commission aiming to position the EU as a world leader in the circular economy by 2030. 

“Competitiveness and emissions reductions go hand in hand. The bioeconomy and circular economy advance climate targets, reduce dependencies and contribute to a sustainable industrial policy. Our goal is that the potential offered by the circular economy and bioeconomy to promote sustainable use of natural resources will play a key role in the EU’s upcoming initiatives and policies,” Multala says. 

The Commission plans to submit a proposal for a revised Bioeconomy Strategy towards the end of this year. As part of its efforts to influence the issue, Finland will organise a bioeconomy seminar for key EU stakeholders in Brussels on the evening of 26 March.  Minister Multala will be the keynote speaker of the seminar together with the EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall from Sweden. 

The Environment Council will also discuss global environmental policies. Ukraine’s Minister for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Svitlana Hrynchuk, will inform the ministers about the environmental impacts of Russian aggression against Ukraine. 

Minister Multala will also attend an informal ministerial meeting on maritime issues convened by Commissioner Costas Kadis as well as a breakfast of the coalition of countries pursuing an ambitious climate policy. In addition, she will have bilateral meetings with several of EU colleagues to highlight Finland’s key objectives. 

Inquiries

Emma-Stina Vehmanen  
Special Adviser to Minister Multala 
tel. +358 40 847 1992 
firstname.lastname@gov.fi  
 
Clean Industrial Deal 
Taina Nikula 
Senior Ministerial Adviser 
tel. +358 29 525 0202 
firstname.lastname@gov.fi